Pessary



l June 17,l 1947. c. c. WA'I'ERBURY` 2,422,377

`PEssARY Filed NOV. 17, 1944 Patented `une 17, i947 2,422,317 A PEssARY Carl C. Waterbury, Chicago, Ill., assgnor to Diraphragm & Chemical Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 17, 1944, Serial No. 563,828

12 Claims. `l The present invention relates to a novel construction of pessaries of the uterine type, adapted Afor use in medical treatment, such as in the treatment of pathological conditions.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, which readily conforms to the contour o the vaginal canal and which, due to its form and construction resiliently retains itself in proper position.

Another object is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, which is of resilient form for maintaining proper contact with the walls of the vaginal canal and which readily accommodates flexions of the body of the user without exertion of deleterious pressure on the delicate tissues of the canal.

A further object is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, having a body of resilient material surrounding a yieldable reinforcing member andwherein portions of the reinforcing member are free to move within the body of yieldable material so as to reduce frictional movement of corresponding portions of the body of resilient material over the tissues of the Vaginal canal incident to flexions of the body of the user.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the character indicated, provided with a stem having one or more relatively thin flexible disks connected to and surrounding the stem and each having a peripheral notch whereby said disks, when the device is positioned for use in the cavity of the uterus and its cervix, causes the disks to assume a substantially frusto-conical form for assisting in retaining the device in proper position and also serving to prevent the entrance of foreign substances into the cavity of the uterus while permitting normal flow of the discharges from the uterus.

A still further object is to provide animproved pessary of the character indicated which is of relatively simplified form, durable and practical in use, capable of being easily cleansed and which may be economically manufactured.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists inthe details of construction and arrangement of parts of the device, ,and the details of procedure involved in the practice of my method in producing the device, whereby the objects contemplated are achieved, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the device embodying the present invention as it is formed in a mold.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device in completely assembled form with portions broken away and shown in section to illustrate details of construction.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the reinforcing member.

Figure4 is an duter end view of the button,

showing the formation of openings, preparatory to insertion of the reinforcing member in the device.

Figure 5 and Figure 6 are transverse sectional views, taken substantiallyas indicated respectively at line 5-5 on Figure 2 and line 6--6 on Figure 1.

The improved pessary embodying the present invention, and as illustrated in the drawing, includes preferably, but not by way of limitation, a unitary body as indicated at I0, formed of pliable, resilient material such as pure gum crepe. The body is composed of an elongated stem Il, preferably of flattened cross section, to one end of which is integrally connected a mushroom shaped button I2. pair of closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts 14, which extend from the free end of the stem to the .opposite end and through the button, opening to the outer surface of the button, as clearly seen in Figure 4 of the drawing. The free .end portion of the stem, for a substantial portion of the length thereof, is formed with a contour, in the general appearance of a figure eight in cross section, such as may be seen in Figure 6 of the drawing, so as to provide a relatively uniform thickness of gum crepe, in the nature of a wall, around the respective ducts I4. Said free end portion of the stem is bifurcated longitudinally adjacent the middle thereof, intermediate the pair of ducts I4, as indicated at I6, so as vto provide two laterally separable, tubular leg portions I8.

The Vbutton I2 and the portion of the stem immediately adjacent thereto is slit between the ducts I4, as indicated at 20 in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawing, for accommodating the closed loop end 22 of a resilient reinforcing member 23 when the latter is inserted into the stem Il. Said member is of generally hairpin shape formation and is preferably, though not necessarily, formed of non-corrosive metal. The leg elements of the reinforcing member, as indicated at 24, have their extreme ends, as indicated at 25,

Acrimped inwardly to provide rounded terminals.

The body is formed with a The reinforcing member is inserted in proper position in the body I0, by projecting the legs 24 thereof into the ducts I4, from the button end, so as to position said leg elements 24 in the tubular leg portions I8 of the stem, and dispose the closed loop end 22 in the stem, as seen in Figure 2. After said reinforcing member is properly positioned within the stem, the lower prtions of the leg elements of the reinforcing member are bent as indicated in dot and dash outline in Figure 3 to yieldingly urge the tubular legv portions I8, of the stem apart.

After the reinforcing member has been inserted in position in the stem, the open ends of the leg portion I8, and the open ends of the ducts I4 in the outer surface of the button, are coated with or dipped in latex, or other suitable material, for sealing the ends of the ducts, as may be seen in Figure 2 of the drawing, If desired, a quantity ofthe latex or other suitable material, may also be introduced into the slit of the button and also into the ducts M immediately above the looped end portion 22.01? the reinforcing member, to more securely maintain said member in the position seen in Figure 2 of the drawing.

It will be noted from Figure 2 of the drawing that the closed looped end of the reinforcing member is positioned in the stem, a substantial distance away from the button, so as to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem for readily accommodating the device to variousianatomical iiections of portions of the body.

The ducts i4 formed inthe body I0 are preferably of cross sectional dimensions greater than the cross section dimensions of the leg elements 2li of the reinforcing member so as to provide a substantial clearance around the legs of the reinforcing member, as may be seen in Figure 5. This constructional feature is relatively important. When the device is disposed in proper position of use, the leg portions I8 of the stem, which are of plialble, resilient material such as Agum crepe, are yieldingly urged into firm engagement with the walls of the. cavity ofv the uterus and its` cervix, and when there is relative anatomical movement of the walls of the uterus, the yielding urgence of the leg portions I8 of the stem against said canal walls will permit free relative movement of the leg elements 24 of the reinforcing member, with respect to said leg portions I8., of the stem, and4 thereby preclude the possibility of frictionalV abrasion on the deli-cate tissues or membranes constituting part of the wall of the uterus. Y

Formed on the stem II, in surrounding relationV thereto, at an area intermediate the button and the bifurcated portion indicated at I6, is one or more relatively thin, substantially circular, disks 26, herein shown as two in number. These disks are preferably formed as an integral part of and of the same materials as the .body I0. The disks are preferably notched, at their outer peripheral edge, as indicated at 2, so that when the pessary is. inserted in proper position of use, due to the direction of insertion thereof in the cervix of the uterus, and the pressure of the Wall thereof on the marginal portions. of the disks,

'causes the disks to assume a, substantially frustoconical form, such as indicated in dot and Vdash outline in Figure 1 of the drawing. The frustoconical formationof the disks is such that the Vlateral surfaces. thereof extend in an outwardly direction toward the. button I2. Due to this for- 'mation'of the disks, said disks serve the purpose 4 v of valves and tend to preclude entrance of for-V eign substances into the uterus and its cervix while permitting flow of normal discharges from the uterus. The disks also serve as sanitary protective devices and tend to prevent iniiow of infectious matter into the cervix and uterus. .Due to inherent resiliency of the disks, they tend to hug the walls of the vaginal canal and thus, in

addition to the purposes above stated, also tend to assist the outwardly urged leg portions I8 of the stem in maintaining the pessary in proper position in the vaginal canal.

It will ibe observed that my novel pessary construction is composed of only two separate elements, by virtue of which there results a sub stantial saving of time and material in construction and assembly thereof.

Some changes may be made in the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts of the device embodying the present invention, as well as in the method of producing the same, without departing,r from the real spirit and purpose of this invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modifie-d forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents or variance in modes of producing the device all of which may bereasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

l. A pessary comprising a body formed of pliable, resilient material having an elongated stein, and a buttonconnected to one end of the stem, said body having two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending, ducts in the stem, the opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular leg portions, and resilient reinforcing means including members disposed in saidducts and having their outer ends formed to yieldingly urge the legportions of the stem apart.

2. A pessary comprising a body formed of pliable, resilient material having an elongated stem, and a button connected to oneend of the stem, said body having two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in the stem, the opposite end ofl the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular legA portions, and resilient reinforcing means-including members disposed in said ducts and having their outfer ends formed to yieldingly urge the leg portions of the stem apart, said ducts being of greater cross-sectional dimensions than said reinforcing vmembers, whereby to permit free relative movement between said members and said leg portions of the stem.

3. A pessary comprising a body formed of pliable, resilient 'material having an elongated stem, one or more disks connected to and surrounding the stem, and a, buttonconnected to one end of the stem, said body having two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in 'the stem, the. opposite end ofthe stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular leg portions, and resilient reinforcing means including membersy disposed in said ducts and having their outer ends formed to yieldingly urge the leg portions of the stem apart.

4. AA pessaryV comprising aV body formed of pliable, Vresilient material having an elongated stem, one`or more disks connected tojand surrounding the stem, and a button connected to one end of thev stein, said body having two closely spaced apart,` longitudinally extending .ducts inV the stem,the opposite endof the stem being split between said ducts to form aV pair vof separable,

tubular leg portions, the yperiphery of the disc being notched vto perinit'it to assume a substantially frusto-conical form when pressure is exerted on the marginal edge thereof, and resilient reinforcing means including members disposed in said ducts and having their outer ends formed to yieldingly urge the leg portions of the stem apart.

5. A pessary comprising a body formed of pliable, resilientv material having an elongated stern, and a button connected to one end of the stem, said body being formed with two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in the stem and opening through to the top of the button, theA opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular leg portions, and a resilient reinforcing member, of generally hairpin formation, having the legs thereof disposed in said ducts and projecting into the leg portions of the stem, and serving to yieldingly urge said leg portions apart, and the closed loop end of said member being disposed a substantial distance from the connection of said stem to the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem.

6. A pessary comprising a body former of pliable, resilient material having an elongated stem, and a button connected to one end of the stem, said body being formed with two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in the stem and opening through to the top of the button, the opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular leg portions, and a resilient reinforcing member, of generally hairpin formation, having the legs thereof disposed in said ducts and projecting into the leg portions of the stein, and serving to yieldingly urge said leg portions apart, and the closed loop end of said member being disposed a substantial distance from the connection of said stem to the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem, said ducts being of greater cross-sectional dimensions than said reinforcing member, whereby to permit free relative movement between said legs of the reinforcing member and the leg portions of the stem.

7. A pessary comprising a body formed of pliable, resilient material having an elongated stem, one or more disks connected to and surrounding an intermediate portion of the stem, and a button connected to one end of the stem, said body being formed with two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in the stem and opening through to the top of the button, the opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular leg portions, and a resilient reinforcing member, of generally hairpin formation, having the legs thereof disposed in said ducts and projecting into the leg portions of the stem, and serving to yieldingly urge said leg portions apart, and closed loop end of said member being disposed a substantial distance from the connection of said stem to the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem, said ducts being of greater cross-sectional dimensions than said reinforcing member, whereby to permit free relative movement between said legs of the reinforcing member and the leg portions of the stem.

8. A pessary comprising a body formed of pliable, resilient material having an elongated stem, one or more disks connected to and surrounding an intermediate portion of the stem, and a button connected to one end of the stem, said body being formed with two closelyv spaced apart, 1ongitudinally extending ducts in the stem and opening through to the top of the button, the opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable, tubular leg portions, the periphery of the disc being notched, whereby to cause it to assume a substantially frusto-conical form upon exertion of pressure on the marginal edge thereof, and a resilient reinforcing member' of generally hairpin formation, having the legs thereof disposed in said ducts and projecting into the leg portions of the stem, and serving to yieldingly urge said leg portions apart, and the closed loop end of said member being disposed a substantial distance from the connection of said stem to the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem, said ducts being of greater cross-sectional dimensions than said reinforcing member, whereby to permit free relative movement between said legs of the reinforcing member and the leg portions of the stem.

9. A pessary comprising a molded unitary body formed of pliable, resilient material and having an elongated stem, and a button connected to one end, said body being formed with two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in the stem and opening through to the top of the button, the opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable leg portions, and a resilient reinforcing member of generally hairpin formation, having the legs thereof disposed in the ducts of the stem and serving to yieldingly urge said leg portions of the stem apart, and the closed loop end of the member being disposed a substantial distance from the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem.

10. A pessary comprising a molded unitary body formed of pliable, resilient material and having an elongated stem, one or more disks Y 'the button, the opposite end of the stem being l split between said ducts to form a pair of separable leg portions, and a resilient reinforcing member of generally hairpin formation, having the legs thereof disposed in the ducts of the stem and serving to yieldingly urge said leg portions of the stem apart, and the closed loop end of the member being disposed a substantial distance from the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem.

11. A pessary comprising a molded unitary body formed of pliable, resilient material and having an elongated stem, one or more disks connected to and surrounding an intermediate portion of the stem, and a button connected to one end, said body being formed with two closely spaced apart, longitudinally extending ducts in the stem and opening through to the top of the button, the opposite end of the stem being split between said ducts to form a pair of separable leg portions, the periphery of the disk being notched, whereby to cause it to assume a substantially frusto-conical form upon exertion of substantial distance from .the button to permit free flexing movement of the button relatively to the stem.

12. A pessary comprising a unitary body formed of pliable, resilient material having an elongated stem, one or more relatively thin, flexible disks formed integrally with and -surrounding the stem, intermediate its length, and a button connected to one end of the stem, the opposite end of the stem being split to form a pair of separable legportions, and resilient reinforcing means in said stem and having members extending into said leg portions to yieldingly'urge said legportions apart.

^ CARL C. WATERBURY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date McCormick May 19,1936 McCormick Feb. 18, 1941 Jones Dec. 8,1925 Murphy June 6', 1939 Winder Jan. 28, 194.1 Haas Nov. 27, 1934 Clark Apr. 16, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Dec. 9, 1933 Germany Jan. 24, 1929 The Netherlands \Mar. 15, 1935 

